A Postcard from October
Here’s what the month held — written from a chilly Brooklyn morning.
How is October nearly out the door already?
We started the month sweating through what felt like August — though the calendar insisted on sweaters and cider. I hate hot weather, so I was impatiently waiting for the first real chill. Thankfully, autumn finally arrived: breezy, crisp, and freshly rinsed by a Nor’easter. In other words, perfect.
We welcomed the season at the New York Botanical Garden’s Nightmare Before Christmas light show — which, to my surprise (I am not a Tim Burton person), was incredible. The NYBG transformed its forest into a glowing dreamscape of color, sound, and shadow. It was the perfect start to October.
Since then, we’ve spent many quiet mornings at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, reading or chatting as we linger through the rose garden and the cherry esplanade. It’s one of our grounding rituals — like a pocket of calm tucked inside all the noise.
The rest of the month felt like that too — full of rituals and small joys. I baked a vegan pumpkin loaf and a pumpkin spice latte cake, both too good to keep to ourselves. We shared them with our favorite coffee shop across the street, run by the kindest husband-and-wife duo. We’re friends now, and I bring them something every time I bake. Dream situation.
Mid-month, my brother and sister-in-law came to stay with us from California. We packed their five days with all things Brooklyn: hiking through Prospect Park, lingering at Café Regular in Park Slope, and taking a day trip to Sleepy Hollow. The air was misty, cider was hot, and every window was decorated for Halloween. Muddy Water Coffee is a must there — the line moves quickly and there are board games while you wait. One October years ago, we played Scrabble there seriously for the first time, and it became our thing.
That night, we ordered our favorite vegan pepperoni pizza from Brooklyn Pizza Crew (same owners as Williamsburg Pizza) and watched a scary movie, per my brother’s request. The rest of their trip was all cozy food and wandering: Loaf on Paper in Williamsburg, Tonchin ramen on a rainy afternoon, Toad Style vegan burgers in Bed-Stuy, slow walks among brownstones. It was sad to watch them fly home, even knowing we’ll see them again in December. I can’t wait for a time when seeing each other won’t require a plane ride.
Right after they left, the city leaned into full fall mode. My friends hosted our annual Practical Magic rewatch — about ten of us tucked into blankets with midnight margaritas. It’s one of those nights that feels like a deep exhale. A few days later, we celebrated one of their birthdays at Paulie Gee’s in Greenpoint with laughter, talk of travel plans, and unglamorous adulthood things like doctors and insurance. There’s something I love about how friendship evolves. Our conversations get older, our joy remains, and our excitement for each other grows louder.
On the cab ride home from dinner, I shared with a friend who lives just a few blocks away. We talked about living and exiting New York — the exhaustion of it, the occasional lack of humanity — and how we’re still glad we came. She’s nearly finished her PhD (please clap), and as we hugged goodbye, I felt that quiet gratitude for the people this city has given me.
Later in the month, I met up for coffee with Bella Darden of Mindholiday — a not-so-distant neighbor and Savannah native. She said something I’ll never forget: “New York isn’t exactly the headquarters of compassion.” I laughed so hard. It’s so true. While I was busy talking about how sensitive I am to its gruff edges, she seemed completely at ease within them. I admired that calm.
And in personal news — I gave my notice at my current job and a new adventure begins next month. November will bring the full swing of the holidays, travel plans, and, if I’m being honest, my early decorating tendencies. I’m unapologetically a holiday person; I’m already humming Christmas songs. But before the month’s end, I need a good cemetery walk (looking at you Green-Wood Cemetery).
October was rich and tiring, sweet and stormy — the kind of month that fills you up even as it wears you out. I’m grateful for all of it: the people, the traditions, the small moments that keep the world feeling soft.
Sending you crisp air + pumpkin bread crumbs!
xx Raye 💌
Thank you for supporting Send a Postcard! You’re helping one writer inch closer to trading the corporate cubicle for a window seat off to her next assignment — pen in hand, stories to tell and coffee freshly brewed.